Castellón
27 places in and around Castellón, 6 of them among my favourite picks.
Chapter One
The story of Castellón
A province in the north of Valencia. Jaume I founded the city of Castellón in 1251 CE, and the province includes Peñíscola, with its castle on the sea, which was one of the strongholds of al-Andalus.
Figures of Castellón
- 1208–1276
Jaume I
The King of Aragon who took the region and authorised moving Castellón to the plain in 1251 CE.
- 1328–1423
Pedro de Luna (Benedicto XIII)
The antipope “Papa Luna” took refuge in the castle of Peñíscola in his last years; his castle is its most famous landmark.
- 1889–1974
Juan Bautista Porcar
A painter born in Castellón, known for depicting its landscapes.
Chapter Two
Places in Castellón
27 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Heritage and monuments
4Castell del Papa Luna (Peñíscola)
· Peñíscola
A castle built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century on a rock above the sea at Peñíscola (Banishkula in Andalusi sources), where the antipope Benedict XIII lived. From its top there is a view of the whole coast, and scenes from “Game of Thrones” were filmed there.
- Moderate effort
- Buses from Benicarló (train station) or by car with parking at the beach. The climb to the castle takes 10–15 minutes through steep alleys and steps, not suitable for strollers. Many restaurants. Hot in summer.
My tip
1 to 1.5 hours; about 5–7 €, with an audio guide via the app. The climb is through the steep alleys of the old town; leave the car in the parking spaces below the rock.
Casco antiguo de Peñíscola y El Bufador
· Peñíscola
A white walled town on a rocky peninsula, its lanes decorated with flowers and surrounded by 16th-century walls. “El Bufador” is an opening in the rock through which waves surge with a roar on rough-sea days.
My tip
Two hours with the castle; a climb with many steps. Most beautiful in the evening at sunset from the walls. The Bufador is worth only a few minutes.
Castillo de Onda
· Onda
Known as the “Castle of the Three Hundred Towers” for its many closely packed towers on the hill. One of the largest Islamic fortresses in eastern al-Andalus, with remains of an Andalusi palace with plaster decoration from the 12th century, and a free interpretive museum.
My tip
Free entry; it closes between 14:00 and 16:00, so plan around that. English signage and a visual display in the museum.
Planetari de Castelló
· Grau de Castelló
A planetarium dome on the seafront promenade in Grau de Castelló, with astronomy shows, a Foucault pendulum and small science exhibitions. A gentle educational activity for children.
My tip
1 to 1.5 hours; shows are usually in Spanish, so book your slot. Closed Mondays. Combine it with a walk around the port.
Restaurants and cafés
6Tasca del Puerto
An establishment in Grau de Castelló listed in the Michelin Guide, run by one family for decades, a reference for Castellón rice and harbour fish.
- The best address for events and business dinners in Castellón; excellent tasting menu and elegant dining rooms.
Try“Arroz a banda”, lobster rice, sea urchins, fish of the day, the house's historic dessert
Booking advised · Suits business meetings, families and children and couples
Restaurante Vista al Mar (Peñíscola)
A rice and tapas restaurant on the walls of the old town of Peñíscola, with an open sea view near the castle.
- The location alone is worth a visit after climbing the castle; prices are reasonable for a tourist site.
TryGrilled sole, octopus and prawn salad, mussels, chicken or seafood paella
Booking advised · Suits families and children and couples
Casa Lola (Grau de Castelló)
A prize-winning rice restaurant in the port, with a bright dining room and accomplished Valencian rice. Lunch only.
- An excellent family lunch after a stroll around the port; the dining room is sometimes noisy at weekends.
TrySeafood paella, black rice, fried squid, fish of the day
Booking advised · Suits families and children and friends and groups
Mar de Sal
A small restaurant at the entrance to the fishing port, with a view of the harbour, serving fresh fish and rice at a reasonable price.
- Excellent value, with fish from the port auction right next door; simple, comfortable atmosphere.
TryPaella, grilled seafood, fresh fish
Booking advised · Suits families and children
Arrocería Lo de Sancho
A rice restaurant run by a chef from a fishing family on the Bonavista promenade. Lunch only.
- Authentic rice and standout homemade desserts. The place is small and the paella is for at least two people, so book.
Try“Arroz a banda” with the fish on the side, squid tempura, fig and cheese cake
Booking advised · Suits families and children and couples
Restaurante Ventdesal (Peñíscola)
A modern Mediterranean restaurant on the outer walls of the old town, with a sea view and quick service.
- A good alternative next door to “Vista al Mar”, with the same view and lighter dishes. Dinner at weekends only.
TryBlack rice, scallops, burrata, grilled sardines, pizza
Booking advised · Suits families and children and couples
Nature and walks
8Castell de Morella
· Morella
A fully fortified town on a rock in the Els Ports mountains, with walls 2 km long, towers, and a castle on the summit. Until 1232 it was the Andalusi stronghold of Morella, and it is one of the most striking urban sights in Spain.
What to see
The castle on the summit of the rock and its view · the walls and their fourteen gates · Blasco de Alagón street with its arcades · the hanging Gothic channel · the Gothic church of Santa María
My tip
Tickets about 5 euros. Comfortable shoes for the climb. The alleys are narrow, so park outside the walls. Two hours from Castellón.
Platja Nord de Peñíscola
· Peñíscola
A golden sandy beach about five kilometres long, with shallow, calm water, and the castle behind it makes an unforgettable view. Along it runs a seafront promenade lined with cafés and restaurants.
My tip
Half a day; umbrellas and chairs for rent. The most beautiful part is near the rock. Very suitable for children.
Parc Ribalta
· Castelló de la Plana
A romantic 19th-century garden in the heart of Castellón, with a duck pond, turtles, benches decorated with Valencian ceramics, and varied trees. A green break in the city centre.
My tip
30–45 minutes; free and flat. Playgrounds for children and a small café.
Castell d'Ares del Maestrat
· Ares del Maestrat
A stone village on a high rocky plateau in the Maestrat, crowned by castle ruins, with wide mountain views. Nearby is the Cova de la Remígia, with prehistoric rock art listed by UNESCO.
What to see
The castle ruins and the circular viewpoint · the old town and the grain hall with its arches · the Baroque church · the Cova de la Remígia for its rock art · the stunning mountain roads
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- 1 hour 10 minutes from Castellón by car. A short climb to the summit along rocky paths; one and a half hours.
My tip
The road is winding, so drive by day. It is cold and windy at the top, even in summer. Combine it with Morella and Mirambel.
Mirambel – Portal de las Monjas
· Mirambel
One of the most beautiful villages in the Maestrat, fully walled, with its stone houses and their coats of arms kept intact. Its most famous feature is the Nuns’ Gate, with plaster lattice windows hanging above the arch.
What to see
The Nuns’ Gate and its perforated windows · the walls and the five gates · the Pallasana palace and noble houses · the square and town hall · the river viewpoint
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 1 hour 45 minutes from Castellón or Teruel by car. Relatively flat and paved; easy.
My tip
The village is very small (1 hour); combine it with Cantavieja (15 minutes) and Morella (40 minutes). Cold in winter.
El Parrizal de Beceite
· Beceite
A narrow gorge of the Matarraña river between towering rock walls. Wooden walkways run above clear water to “the narrows”, where the gorge is no wider than a metre and a half. One of the most beautiful water routes in Aragon.
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- Two and a half hours from Zaragoza or two hours from Tarragona. Mostly flat, with wooden walkways; half a day.
My tip
Entry by advance booking at set times, and numbers are limited in peak seasons. The round trip takes about 3 hours. Choose shoes that can take getting wet.
Cantavieja – Plaza Cristo Rey
· Cantavieja
A walled mountain town on a cliff edge in the heart of the Maestrat, with a large square of Gothic arcades. It was the “capital” of Commander Cabrera during the Carlist Wars of the 19th century.
What to see
Cristo Rey square with its arcades · the Church of the Assumption · cliff viewpoints · the Carlist Wars museum · nearby Mirambel (15 minutes)
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 1 hour 30 minutes from Teruel by car. The square is flat and the lanes are steep; one and a half hours.
My tip
The town is cold in winter and its roads are mountainous; summer is milder. Combine it with Mirambel.
Castillo de Puertomingalvo
· Puertomingalvo
A stone village, one of Spain's most beautiful, on a rocky summit in the Gúdar mountains, crowned by a restored castle-palace. Its streets are preserved as they were in the Middle Ages.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 1 hour 15 minutes from Castellón or Teruel by car. Steep lanes; one and a half hours.
My tip
The castle is visited on a few guided tours each day; the village is very small (130 residents) and services are limited.
Day trips
3Desert de les Palmes – La Bartola
· Benicàssim
A green mountain range above Benicàssim. Its winding road ends at the summit of Pico del Bartolo (729 m), with a view of the coast and the Columbretes islands on clear days.
My tip
Two hours by car with stops; the visitor centre is at kilometre 8. Short, easy walking trails. Bring an extra layer, as the summit is cold and windy.
Passeig Marítim de Benicàssim (Ruta de les Villes)
· Benicàssim
A wide seafront promenade lined with elegant summer villas from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, between palm trees and the sea. One of the quietest and most refined seafronts on the Castellón coast.
My tip
1 to 2 hours on foot or by bike; flat and suitable for strollers. Information boards at each villa.
Vilafamés
· Vilafamés
A hill town rated among “the most beautiful villages in Spain”, with red-stone houses climbing towards the ruins of an Islamic-origin castle on the summit, and a contemporary art museum. About 25 minutes from Castellón.
My tip
Two to three hours; steep paved lanes, unsuitable for strollers. Leave the car below the town.
Experiences and family
3Coves de Sant Josep (La Vall d'Uixó)
· La Vall d'Uixó
The longest navigable underground river in Europe: a boat trip of about 800 metres between illuminated stalagmites and stalactites, then a walk. A steady temperature of about 20° all year round.
- Easy to reach
- On the edge of Vall d’Uixó with a car park; a 45 min boat trip under low ceilings. Queues in summer. Services. C6 train to Vall d’Uixó, then a taxi.
My tip
40 minutes for the tour; book the ticket online to choose your time slot (about 12 €). Photography is banned along most of the route. Very enjoyable for children; 30 minutes south of Castellón.
Excursión a las Islas Columbretes (DXT Columbretes)
· Grau de Castelló
A volcanic marine reserve 30 miles off the coast of Castellón. Its waters are among the clearest in the Mediterranean, home to grouper and coral. The trip takes a full day, with snorkelling, paddling and a visit to the main island.
My tip
A full day (8–10 hours). Book ahead by phone, as trips depend on sea conditions (June–September). Take seasickness tablets. Order a pork-free meal in advance.
Salto de la Novia (Navajas)
· Navajas
A waterfall about 60 metres high on the Palancia river near the town of Navajas, in a green valley with pools and trails. Its name, “The Bride's Leap”, comes from a local legend about a bride who jumped over the river.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 45 minutes by car from Valencia. A paved, sloping path; one and a half hours.
My tip
Token fees in summer; 10 minutes down and 20 minutes up. The water is very cold and the rocks slippery, so take care with children. Combine it with Segorbe.
Shopping
1Mercat Central de Castelló
· Castelló de la Plana
The city's market in the main square, with fresh Mediterranean fish, the region's famous oranges, honey and vegetables. Beside it are the “El Fadrí” tower and the town hall building.
My tip
45 minutes in the morning (best after 10); closed Sundays. The market is under renovation, so some stalls may have been moved.
Relaxation
2Fuente de los Baños (Montanejos)
· Montanejos
A spring on the Mijares river whose turquoise water stays at a steady temperature all year, between rocky cliffs. It is among the best-known natural swimming spots in eastern Spain.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- About an hour and a quarter by car from Castellón, or an hour and a half from Valencia; a short descent to the water. Little shade.
- Barbecue
- Not allowed: no fires or barbecues at all; picnic with ready food only.
My tip
Parking is paid, by machine or app. Very crowded in summer, so go in the morning. Eat on the rocks and banks. Take your rubbish home with you.
Paellero y zona de barbacoa – Embalse del Regajo (Jérica)
· Jérica
A barbecue and paellero area on the shore of the Regajo reservoir. Reserve for your date and you get a table, a grill and a water sink. It can be reached by car right up to the spot.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- About 50 minutes by car from Valencia via the A-23 (Jérica exit). Parking beside the grill.
- Barbecue
- Barbecuing is allowed by reservation. In the Valencia region only fixed grills (paelleros) are used, and they are banned on fire-warning days of levels 2 and 3; the municipality may close them in summer.
My tip
Book through Jérica town council before your date. Good for paella and barbecue, followed by a walk around the lake.
Chapter Three
When to go to Castellón
Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holiday
January
No events listed in January. A quiet month, and prices are often lower.
Chapter Four
What to bring home
What deserves to come home with you from Castellón: the genuine article, and what carries a protected origin.
- DOP
Benicarló artichoke
Alcachofa de Benicarló DOPA tender, compact artichoke in season from November–April, celebrated at a festival in January.
Clementine mandarins
Clementina de NulesThe world-famous Clementina de Nules variety was born in the town of Nules in Castellón. Season November–January.
Vinaròs prawns
Langostino de VinaròsPremium prawns from the port of Vinaròs.
Oil from thousand-year-old olive trees
Aceite de olivos milenarios del MaestratA rare oil from olive trees more than a thousand years old in the Maestrat, of the “Farga” variety.
Tronchón cheese
Queso de TronchónHistoric sheep's cheese from the border of Teruel and Castellón, mentioned in “Don Quixote”.
Chapter Five
Getting around Castellón
Apps that work here
FreeNow
Last reviewed1 October 2026